The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1887-01-13
SENATOR SIAW-S TRIBUTE
To the Worth of Senator Gregory, De-



Marked attention was paid to the sit
cere words of eul0gy pronounced by Sera-
tor W. 2. Shaw in the Senate on Thursday,
of last week in memory of his colleague
was couched in fit words and was deliver
ed with that manner that most becomes
such efforts. Senator Shaw avoided extrav-
agance, but gave a faithful delineation Of
the good qualities of a good man. The
Senate was hushed as in the presence of
death and upon motion of Mr. Shaw, adj
journed as a mark of respect to the dead
Senator
Mr.. PRESIDENT:-Since the casting of
the ballots on the cd day of November
last, by which we hold our commissions
as members on this floor, the death angel,
to whose uplifted arm no dilatory motions
avail, has cast his unerring blow, causing
an event full of admonition, an event
which awaits us all alike, suggestive of
the momentous enquiry, who will be next,
to which no human tongue can voice the
reply. And to-day | stand by a vacant
chair, marked and designed for one whose
presencewin never grace this chamber
And l now in the beginning of this session
break silence to ask the privilege of inter-
rupting the ordinary current of business
to announce the death of my friend and
colleague, Mark r. Gregory, member elect
of the Senate with myself from the First
District, who died at his home on the 9th
day of November last, in his native coun-
ty of Camden.
n 49, ~s- s2rn CD rne So e5ss 4
his age.
When the death summons comes t. one
ripe in years and labors of a we'll spent
and we'll rounded life, such departure
seems to call neither for tears nor grief,
especially when it comes to one with an
humble, well-grounded hope of future
and better life to come, but death would
seem to be rather the crown of such a life.
Yet it is meet and proper that We should
pause amid life's cares and conflicts to
pay merited tribute to virtue and keep
fragrant and green the memory of depart
ed worth. There was much in the life of
my colleague, which i'll all respects and in
the highest degree, deserves to arrest the
deliberations of this body.
A man distinguished for high and noble
qualities of head and heart is a bengnant
dispensation of providence to the com
munities which are permitted 10 reap the
advantages Of his virtues and worth, and
recognizing this truth the public voice
with one common consent, in the section
where he lived has far outstripped the
ordinary language Of commendation
Although our homes were considerably
removed from each other, yet the name of
my colleague was so closely united aud
blended with the cause of Christianity, of
education and the public enterprises gen
orally of our Eastern section, that he was
no stranger to any part of our district,
and it was my privilege to have known
him long, favorabiy and well.
He was a kind and loving husband and
dear indulgent father, and blessed his
home by making it what it should be,
earth's most endearing spot to its inmates,
and the blow which removed him thence
crushed and stunned the family circle and
a sorrowing widowed wife and fond child
rem weep in home made desolate by his
removal
In his dealings with his fellows he knew
nothing of intrigue or dissimulation, but
with charity for all and malice towards
none,' he was always fearless and consist
ent in the advocacy of what he knew or
believed to be right, and his popularity
was well attested by the large concourse
of friends who gathered sorrowfully around
his bier to gaze with fearful eyes for the
lastitim upon that form so recently full
of life and activity but now cold in death
My colleague had not the advantages Of
+ early and judicious educational training;
indeed, his advantages in this respect may
be said to have been unfortunate, and the
education he possessed was acquired amid
the broad fields of practical business life,
''where necessity was the teacher and eX
perience the guide" Yet he was the
Jealous friend and patron of the schools,
and expended freely his funds for the
education of his children, the result Of
which may be seen in the refined, cult
waited society of his daughters, and I trust
in coming years may be noted in noble
sons worthy to bear their fathers mantle.
Possessed Of an infieXible resolution an |
an unwavering integrity of purpose to
win in tie great race of life, success was
the end he aimed at in all the enterprises
of his life, and that end he attained as
his pleasant home, his well-filled gran
aries and well-ordered farms plainly show.
Kind in the home circle, a generous
neighbOr, liberal in his charities and bene-
VIOLENT in all the relations of life, it may
be well doubted if a better model of a use
full ard well spent life can be held up for
the imitation of those who may come af-
ter him.
At any time 'with all the exactness Of
truth" he might have said:
II know myself now; and :! feel within me,
A peace above all earthly dignities,
a still and quiet conscience"
AS he walked life's pathway of duty,
and found for himself an honored grave
let US trust he went from the shores of
time and conflict to the Infinite One who
opened wide for him the doorway to the
GREAT white throne and welcomed him to
a home of rest in Heaven
Messrs. Aycock and Daniels have